Fred Thomas Tinsley

Fred Thomas Tinsley, son of Velma (Pflug) and Cloyd Tinsley, longtime resident of Chatham, Illinois, was born on July 8, 1936. He passed peaceful January 25, 2022. He was 85 years old.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Velma and Cloyd, his grandson, Christopher Chambers, and the love of his life, Phyllis (Durkin) Tinsley.

Fred met Phyllis when he was just a junior in high school. He spent countless hours walking to and from the far north side of Springfield to the far south side, just to visit his sweetheart. They were married March 30, 1957 and remained mutually in love with each other until the day she died.  There was never a more beautiful love story. He loved his family more than anything.

Fred is survived by all 6 of his children, Kim Tinsley Carver (husband, Mike Carver), Valerie Tinsley McGrath (husband, Mike McGrath), Fred C. Tinsley (wife, Diane Davenport Tinsley), Mary Jo Tinsley Carver (husband, Tom Carver), Sally Tinsley Finley and Thomas Tinsley; 13 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Fred was the best father, firm but fair, and his children had the utmost respect for him, as well as all their childhood friends.

He is also survived by his only sister, Judy England, his favorite cousin and lifelong friend, Kenny Wilcoxon, and his brothers and sisters-in-law, Patricia Groth, Todd and Helen Renfrow, and Jim and Doris Durkin. He was loved by all.

He entered the United States Navy in 1957 and served a tour of duty in the Mediterranean and Cuba.     

He retired from the City of Springfield in 1998. He was a faithful member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Chatham, Illinois. He was a huge fan of St. Louis Cardinals and Notre Dame. He loved vacationing, fishing, and golf.

Visitation will be from 8:30 am till time of funeral mass at 10:30 am, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Chatham, Illinois. He will be buried with his wife at Camp Butler Cemetery.

Donations can be made to St. Patrick’s Parish, 1720 South Grand Ave. East, Springfield, IL 62703.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Fred Thomas Tinsley, please visit our floral store.